Giuliani vows to keep U.S. lead in space

CAPE CANAVERAL -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Friday pledged he would return Americans to the moon and send astronauts to Mars if elected president.

"Space will be a priority in the Giuliani White House from Day One," he told a group of about 35 space-industry and local officials at a space-policy round table organized by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast.

The Republican presidential candidate also vowed to close the gap between the retirement of the space shuttle in 2010 and the first flight of the next generation of manned rocket, now slated for 2015 -- though he didn't say how.

"Florida will continue to be the center of America's space program . . . and our emerging space industry," he said.

It was exactly the message his audience wanted to hear.

He is the first candidate from either party to assure the EDC and local lobbyists of his support for NASA and manned space exploration.

Kennedy Space Center workers and local businesses in Brevard County are worried that thousands of jobs will disappear if NASA retires the shuttle in 2010 as planned. The EDC has argued their votes could be key as presidential candidates troll for support along the space-dependent Interstate 4 corridor.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Rein, communications director for United Launch Alliance, said losing the lead in space technology would be like an army losing the high ground during battle.

"Space is the high ground of the future, and we must own it at all times," he said, as the former mayor took notes.

Giuliani, who has made winning Florida the focus of his campaign strategy, also heard presentations about the dire consequences of having to depend on the Russians to get U.S. astronauts to the international space station after the shuttle is mothballed.

"This is not acceptable," he said. "America should be No. 1 and shouldn't have to be dependent on other countries."

He added: "Our goal is, let's make sure we close this gap."

Before the discussion, Giuliani toured Kennedy Space Center with his wife, Judith.

They viewed shuttle Atlantis, scheduled for a Feb. 7 launch after a two-month delay.